Help! What if your unable to exercise??? - Weight Loss Message Board

palarin · 03-16-2006, 12:21 PM

I have Systemic RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) which is in all four limbs of my body. I have a spinal cord stimulator in my back, a morphine pump in my stomach, and I use a wheelchair to get around because I am unable to stand/walk for any length of time.

I have gained approx. 50 lbs. since this disease changed my life 5 1/2 years ago. I have tried to diet but get discouraged because everything you see or hear is about diet and exercise. Any advice or diet info that may work for me?

Thank you and God Bless,
Maria

slimseeker · 03-16-2006, 06:08 PM

Palarin,

I'm sorry you're sick. I have fibromyalgia and I understand at times it's hard to exercise. I am fortunate that my fibro is mild and I can exercise..most days anyway. What I would suggest you do, and a friend of mine did this who was very immobile is this. Do chair exercises. You can even do this in your wheelchair. Just use light weights..what you can tolerate..even if 1lb ones..or campbells soup cans, and do workouts that way. Stretch your arms out while holding the cans and bend..I think you know what I mean. You can also buy light weight ankle weights that you can put on and while sitting slowly lift and bend your legs. My friend did these and it helped her a lot.

Best of luck to you. You take care now.

Slimseeker

FireplaceNut · 03-18-2006, 05:33 PM

Hi Maria-

I'm sorry to hear of your situation.

I lost the first 70 of the 80 lbs. that I lost w/out ANY exercise. I took phentermine 37.5 and cut cals. to 1200. Maybe talk to your doc. about a script.

cookiepls · 03-18-2006, 05:45 PM

Hey Maria,
I know. All we hear about is diet and exercise both. Exercise helps you burn off calories faster and raises your metabolism so you continue to burn them faster. But if you can't exercise, you can still lose weight. You just have to make sure you're consuming fewer calories than you're burning. It'll take longer, but it can be done.
Is your wheelchair electric? If not, and if you're able, maybe you could take some trips around your neighborhood in it. It would give you a great upper body workout.